The brother of a Hawke's Bay man under guard in Bangkok Hospital with serious injuries and a rising medical bill has set up a Trade Me auction selling space on his body for a tattoo of, ``anything, anywhere''.
Sean Kenzie, 27, was knocked off his scooter by a taxi van on the way back to his hotel in Patong, Thailand, just hours into his first overseas adventure. He suffered collapsed lungs, a split liver, neck injuries, and a broken jaw, which still required surgery. The accident was not covered by insurance.
Since the accident last month, friends and family had been desperately trying to gather enough money to pay his bill and fly him back home.
``We are trying everything we can, but we are running out of time,'' Sean's older brother Kane Kenzie said. ``They won't release him until we have paid the bill. There's a guard on his door.'' After reaching out to his friends on Facebook, Kane decided he needed to do something more drastic and came up with the idea of selling space on his body for a tattoo.
``I know it's crazy, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If I'm able to get my brother home then it's worth it.''
He also considered opening a PayPal account and getting a credit card so he could advertise to a wider audience on eBay.
``If someone would like to have their business advertised or whatever, this could be a way to do that and help someone out.''
As of last night the Trade Me auction had reached $200, and was climbing all the time.
The Buy Now sat at a hefty $50,000 _ but the sum needed to cover medical expenses, flights back to New Zealand and a doctor to accompany him would exceed that.
``It's crazy. Mum got one quote of $43,000 for the flights and a doctor,'' he said. ``His medical bill alone is $25,000''.
Sean's friends had also begun selling items on Trade Me including a Nintendo Wii package and OPI nailpolish products, to help out.
Even complete strangers were willing to get behind the cause, with one man setting up a Facebook event called ``Buy him a drink''.
``I don't even know the dude but this is terrible,'' page administrator Stephen James Parker said. ``Imagine if this was you, your boyfriend, your son or your mate.''
The idea was to encourage people to have one less drink at the pub and donate the money they would have spent to a fund for Sean.
Comments on the Hawke's Bay Today website suggested there was a lot of support for the Marewa School and William Colenso College old boy who has been living in Perth as a roofer and plumber for the past five years.
``Whether he's an idiot or not he _ and his family _ are human beings first and foremost,'' one comment said. ``There are not many opportunities for my $10 to make a big difference in someone else's life. I will gladly give a little where I know it will make a difference.''
Another comment read: ``Insurance companies are quick to take your money without ensuring that the customer knows what they are actually covered for. This should be part of their basic customer service policy. It's not good enough for them to put the onus back on their customer who has bought his insurance in good faith. I don't think that this company should be let off the hook so easily.''
Sean's mother Nadine Mouritsen spoke to her son two days ago and said he was, ``getting better, but still in a lot of pain''.
Girlfriend Amy Myles was ``holding up'' and remained by his side.
A spokeswoman for Sean's insurance company, Cover-More Travel Insurance Australia, said he did not pay an extra premium for the scooter/moped policy, which cost $20-$30.
``Flight Centre Australia and Cover-More have undertaken a review regarding Sean Kenzie's recent insurance claim denial for injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident while holidaying in Phuket.
``The review highlighted that Mr Kenzie did not select additional cover on his completed application or pay the additional premium required for coverage of moped or scooter accidents.''
The spokeswoman said terms and conditions specifically highlighted that mopeds and motorcycles were excluded from the policy and would require additional coverage.
``Cover-More's medical team has been liaising directly with the hospital where Mr Kenzie is receiving treatment in Phuket and is satisfied with the high standard of care and assistance being provided at this time.''
Ms Mouritsen who was taking care of all funds donated for her son, said they had raised $7800. An ANZ bank account has been set up: 11-6401-0087968-47. People can also donate through www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/criticlyinjuredkiwi#donation _ 1007343-->-->
Hopes rest on tattoo as medical bill skyrockets
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